If you love animals and have the patience to care for them, a veterinary technology career might be perfect. You’ll need to take some classes, but fortunately, many excellent schools offer quality programs in this field. It’s a fact that vets are always in demand, so it is a smart career choice. Plus, you’ll get a nice paycheck and be able to help others by practicing veterinary medicine. Here are some ways how you can become a veterinary technician.
1. Earn a High School Diploma or GED
It would help if you had a high school diploma before you could start classes at a college level. The good news is that you can get your diploma in less than a year if you already have your GED.
You’ll take biology, chemistry, math, and physiology classes, animal science, and communication skills. The college will set you up for success by giving you the skills needed for a vet tech career. Some colleges offer two-year programs in this field, so this option is more affordable than getting an associate degree or even a bachelor’s degree.
2. Consider Attending a Vet Tech Program at a Community College or Vocational School
Take some time to check out the veterinary technician course offerings at your community college or vocational school. If you are enrolled in a two-year program, you’ll need to enroll in general education classes, such as math and science. If you’re looking for a bachelor’s degree option, you may need to attend full-time if your program requires that.
You will likely be taking classes like animal anatomy and physiology; animal behavior; nutrition and diet therapy; hospice care; animal restraint; handling and control; pharmacology for animals; and critical thinking and problem-solving skills. There are also opportunities for hands-on experience with real animals through labs or volunteer work.
3. Attending Medical Conferences
Attend medical conferences to expand your education. You can attend these conferences live and in person or attend them online from sites like Coat Connect. These conferences often offer an opportunity to network with colleagues and review the latest advances in veterinary medicine while practicing classroom skills.
4. Gain Experience Working With Animals
After you finish your coursework, you’ll be working under the supervision of a vet tech. You’ll need to ensure that your time is spent well and that you meet the needs of the animal being cared for. You may find work at a local animal shelter or a farm or ranch. If things don’t go so well, it might be time to move on to another position or form your own business.
5. Complete an Internship or Externship at a Veterinary Clinic or Hospital
Another option is to complete a veterinary technician internship or externship at a veterinary clinic or hospital. You’ll take care of animals under the supervision of the clinic’s vet techs. What you experience here will help you decide if this is the right career for you or not. The advantage of this option is that it’s free and enables you to decide whether or not to continue your education to become a full-fledged vet tech.
6. Keep Up With the Latest Advances in Veterinary Medicine
One of the most important things you can do to keep your career as a vet tech moving forward is to stay current on the latest advances in veterinary medicine. This is done through continuing education classes or professional development workshops. Your state also requires you to get some mandatory continuing education hours regularly. In addition, you should look into professional associations in your state, like Veterinary Technician Certification Board (VTCCB).
7. Stay Organized and Keep Good Records
Being a vet tech is about more than helping animals and their owners. It’s also about being organized and keeping good records. When working in a veterinary clinic, you’ll need to ensure that your time is spent well. For example, if you are taking care of an animal in training or one that needs special attention, then the rest of the animals might need to wait.
For example, a cat with an ear infection might need to be seen before the dog waits for routine vaccinations. You’ll also want to keep detailed notes on everything that happens with an animal during its stay at the clinic.
If you want to get started on your new career as a vet tech, you must first decide if this field is the right one for you. If so, then start taking college classes or attending vet technician programs. Ensure you have the proper educational background and experience before applying for positions at a veterinary clinic or animal hospital.
Becoming certified and achieving a license are also important steps if this is going to be your career of choice, so make sure that you keep up with all of your certifications and continuing education hours required by law. Not only will this help you in your job, but it’s also good for business.
